Multicolor pencil



July 24, 1951 w. SCHMIEGLITZ MULTICOLOR PENCIL Filed April 7, 1949 INVENTOR. WiLLY SCHMIEGUTZ'.

ATTORNEY Patented y 1951 -i $.'?8,liiiiiil, tl

PATENT OFFICE fizl mzj r .mtrimomaeeneai Willy s iin ie iita nerliil-wir Application ri 7, 194a, seriernaca512 I l (01,120;

My invention relates to a multi-coloripencil a cross-section of the core member "and, more particularly, to a pencil of theQtype taken alcngline H- -l I of Fig. 1;

i to retracted position. r

9, and

in which one lead may be elected-fromca plurality A cylindrical or hexagonal sleeve l tapering of leads and moved to operative positionwby towards its muzzleZl affords a seat for a tightly means of a, slidably mounted lead-holdenr-the U5 inserted substantially cylindrical core 2 and conlead previously occupying the operative position jstitutes a tubular casing for aplurality of leadbeing coincidentally and automaticallyreturned holders, which areindividually movable from a restingpositionwithin the casing I to a pro The objects of my invention are-to simplify jected position shown in Fig. '7. Each of the the mechanism of a multi-color pencil of this ,10 leadeholders-is composed ofa flat actuatin bar kind; to so devise the mechanism that. the zlead ;E, ,0f-a;sleeve adapted to be loaded with a lead, elected for operation at anytime andmovedto such 1 as. 22, and of a hinge 1 connecting said its Working position will substantially; coincide :sleeve Htothe actuating bar 6. As will appear with the axis of the pencil, to create a;.m11ltifrom Fig.= ,lthe element referred to hereinabove color pencil having its actuating knobs located 5,15 as asleeve is in its turn composed of an upper near the rear end of the pencil, as isdesirablefor asheetmmetal member 8 having a U-shaped cross easy manipulation; and to provide amultiecolor section and of a lower tubular element 9 accompencil of a simple and rugged structure that lends :modating the lead 22. The element 9 has a collar itself to cheap mass production and is subject v23 :at itsupper end which is embraced by and to wear to a lesser degree than similar: designs ;,20-1O,tatab1y ;journaled in the member 8 and held known prior to my invention. t :thereby against. axial displacement. The lower In prior multi-color pencils as available ion :the LfindOfvthe tubularelement 9 is knurled so that market, knobs for the manipulation: extending t-itrmay beyeasily turned about its axis when prooutwardly from the leadeholders throughuslots jecting from themuzzle 2!. Such rotation causes provided in the casing assume'a position. -inter- 25: anr axialfimovement of the push rod [0 inside mediate the ends of the pencil. Thisintermediof thetubell to impart the required feed motion ate location is undesirable. Moreover,-:,these tO the le d' f fi e to compensate prior pencils are complicated, unreliablelini opforithe wear-thereof. s

eration and expensive inmanufacture;.Asuwill WBAS will pp from the core 2 is appear from a detailed description ofgmy inyen- ,provided :with longitudinal slots 20 extending in tion followin hereinafter, my improved multilaxialwplanesoand slidably accommodating the color pencil is free from such disadvantagesand, --a.ctuating .bars,6. The upper ends of the latter owing to the position of the actuatingiknobs near ihalieioutwardly p je g arms extending the rear end, ermits of a simple and rapid,,.m aithroughwlongit di l lo 5 of the casing l and nipulation by the fingers of thesame hand that cb a'ri gzknobsl-l9lfor ma ual displacement fro isholding the pencil. l l ,the ,retractedposition shown in Figs. 1 and 3 A preferred embodiment ormyfinyezition,.1s Vitothenproiectedlpositio hown in Fig. 7.

.1, mmsstated above it is one of the objects of my be inventionto, so designthe various elements; that, p40 owing, ,to, their shape and co-ordination, the

illustrated in the accompanying drawing; Fig. 1 showing a longitudinal sec on improved multi-color pencil, L

Fig. 2 being a plan view on a-smallermscale .sleeveflpawhen in projected position, will subdisclosing amodification, .gstantially coincide with the axis of the casing I.

Figs. 3, 5'and 7 being diagrammat epre- 2Topthisend, the groovesZB are so shaped as to sentations showing one of the lead-holders, inits t lli fi ap vac u t b r 9 along a p th 0 retracted position, in an intermediate, position, margins WWa idS the axis of the casing, as illusand in its projected position relative to ,theilatch li il i fidw nlfigs'. 3,15, and 7 showing that the hinge and the other basic elements of the-pencil, I mov s; ,from an eccentrical retracted position Figs. 4, 6 and 8 being lateral views of thelead- ,tqward l; he-axis until substantially coinciding holder and of the rotary latch in upper, middle, herewith; when arriving in the projected posiand lower position, respectively, ,1 r .50 npfFig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a partialsectiontakenalong linelii .9 Innthe embodiment illustrated, this effect is of Fig. l, the rotary latch being shown .in 1e ed by the bottom of the grooves 20 being tion, l

, conuex longitudinally and the bars themselves Fig. 10 is abottom view of the rotary latchof being curved, accordingly for guidance along {1n iliiniciil i? curvedpaths.

Owing to its truly axial alignment, the tubular element 9 will be firmly held by the muzzle II, when projecting therethrough, without any objectionable lost motion.

While in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the casing I is illustrated as extending over the core 2 up to the top thereof being provided with slots 25 affording the required freedom of movement to the actuating bars 6, I may modify the design by terminating the casing l at the line 26 shown in Fig. 2 thus leaving the upper section of core 2 bare. In this modification, casing I need not;

be provided with any slots. In either case the core may have a pressed lit in the casing 'l. to

save the cost of additionalconnecting means.

The core 2 has an axial bore l1 dimensioned from the casing I.

embody the same principle in pencils having two,

three, five or more lead-holders.

to render it fit for the accommodation of. reserve leads H. The upper end of the core 2. has. ex-

ternal threads and a shoulder ailordin'ga seatfor the upper off-set extension 4 of a clip held "in position by a knob 5. A cap-3 screwed on the core member 2 constitutes a cover of the magazine I'l'.

Helical springs I I having their lower ends attached to the lead-holders and their upper ends to a spider 12 attached to the core 2 by an axial bolt 2? serve to keep the lead-holders in the rest ing position in which their upper ends engage member 4. a

I shall now describe another important feature of my invention same being the provision 01'. new and simplified means for arresting any leadholder in its projected position shown in Fig. '7 once it has been manually shifted thereto.

Rotatably mounted on the lower end of the axial bolt 21 projecting from the core member 2, there is a star shaped latch 13 having upturned arms provided with slanting edges as shown in Fig. 9. Notches l8. are formed between the arms. This latch I3 is normally held in'the position shown in Fig. 9 by a U -shaped leaf spring it which is encased within a cavity provided in the bottom of the core member 2 and has one of its arms projecting downwardly through a hole 28 (Figs. 1 and 10) in member 13. This spring is so mounted as to urge its extended armintocontact with the left hand wall of the cavity as shown in Fig. 9. This arm, however, mayizne deflected by an oscillation of the latch 13 about the axial bolt 21 into a position indicated in Fig.

9 by dotted lines. The radial arms oi. the latch ing bars For, more specifically, into the path of downwardly facing shoulders 29 provided in said arms by inner recesses l5 therein; when one of the actuating bars 6 is shifted downwardly by manual actuation of its knob 1'8, its shoulder 29 engages the face of the slanting edge thus oscillating the latch 13 until the bar 6 isdisposed in a notch [8. Continued downward motion of the bar 6 brings an upwardly facing shoulder 30 thereof beneath the latch 13. When this happens, latch I3 will be re-set to its initial position by the spring 16 and will consequently lock and arrest the lowered bar 6 upon manual release of the latter. The shoulder 30 is provided by another inner recess [5 of each bar 6.

It will be appreciated that theoscillation ofthe star-shaped latch i 3 by engagement thereof'with the shoulder 29 of any selected lead-holder-will cause the coincidental release of any previously arrested lead-holders by the sliding of shoulder to thereof along slanting edge 44 into notch l8 and the consequent return thereof by its spring ii to resting position. (7 v i 3 extend normally into the paths of the actuat- Moreover, I wish it to be clearly understood that my invention is in no way limited to the details shown in the drawings and described herein above but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising aplurality'of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor, means for slidably mounting eachoi said holders to be individually movable from aretracted position within said casing to a projected position, a retracting spring connected to each of said lead-holders, and a single latch mounted within said casing and 'co-operatively co-ordinated to each of said holders at the inner .sidethereof and adapted, upon movement of any one of them into projected position, to engage and to arrest same and to be tripped coincidentally with said movement for release of any preyiously projected holder and for consequent resettingof the latter by one of said springs.

2.. In a multi color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing'therefor, each of said holders being provided with two spaced .and oppositely facing shoulders, means for slidably mounting each of said holders to be individually movable from a retracted position within saidcasing to a pro- --iected position, a retracting spring connected to IQB-Ghfif'fiflid lead-holders, and a single starvshaped latch centrally mounted within said casing for oscillation about the axis thereof and cooperatively co-ordinated to each of said holders andadapted, upon movement of any one of them to projected position, to engage one of the two shoulders of said projected holder to thereby arrest same and .to be tripped by the other one of its two shoulders coincidentally .to said movement for release .of-any previously projected holder andfor consequent resetting of the latter by one-of said springs. I

"saideasing" to a projected position, a retracting spring connected to each of said lead-holders, a

single star -shaped latch centrally mounted within said-casing for oscillation about the-axis thereof having radial arms normally extending into thepaths, of said actuating bars and having slanting faces for engagement by anoperating shoulder .of'saidbars, and a "restoring springfor 'saidlatch adapted to urge the'latter to snap behind the locking shoulder of the actuating bar 2.0mm pmiected lead-holder; whereby any leadu holder on movement from its retracted position aver-nee into its projected position will trip saidiatchdor release and restoration of any previously projected lead-holder and will then be locked in projected position until another one of said holders will be projected. 1 l. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor, a core coaxially connected with said casing and having'longitudinal grooves slidably guiding said lead-holders for individual movement from a retracted position withinfsaid casing to a projected position, a retracting spring connected to each of said lead-holders, and a single latch mounted on said core andeachlead holder including means to operate said latch and means cooperating with said latch whereby said latch is co-operatively co-ordinated toeach of said holders and adapted, upon movement of any oneof them projected pcsitiomto engage and to arrest same and to be tripped coincidentally to said movement for release of any previously pro: jected holder and for consequent re-setting of the I latter by one of said springs.

5. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders each composed of an actuating bar and of a sleeve adapted to be loaded with a lead, each of said actuating bars being formed with a locking shoulder and an operating shoulder facing opposite thereto, a tubular casing for said lead-holders, a core coaxially connected with said casingand having longitudinal grooves slidably guiding said actuating bars for individual movement of said lead-holders from a retracted position Within said casing to a projected position, a retracting spring connected to each of said lead-holders, a single star-shaped latch centrally mounted on said core within said casing for oscillation about the axis thereof having radial arms normally extending into the paths of said actuating bars and having slanting faces for engagement by an operating shoulder of said bars, and a restoring spring for said latch adapted to urge the latter to snap behind the locking shoulder of the actuating bar of any projected lead-holder, whereby any lead-holder on movement from its retracted position into its projected position will trip said latch for release and restoration of any previously projected lead-holder and will then be locked in projected position until another one of said holders will be projected.

6. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor, and a core coaxially connected with said casing and having longitudinal grooves extending in radial planes of said core, each lead-holder being composed of an actuating bar, of a sleeve adapted to be loaded with a lead, and of a hinge connecting said sleeve to said bar, said actuating bars being slidably guided within said grooves for individual movement of said lead-holders from a retracted position within said casing to a projected position in which the loaded end of said sleeve projects out of said casing, said grooves being shaped to guide each actuating bar along a path converging towards the axis of the casing so that the hinge of a lead-holder, when the latter is projected, is substantially positioned on the axis of said casing.

'7. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor, and a core co-axially connected with said casing and having longitudinal grooves extending in radial planes of said core, each ead+l1Q ,der.-: in co d of a c ns a of; a sleve adapted to be loaded with a lead, and of a hinge-connecting said sleeve to said bar, said actuating bars being slidably guided within said grooves forvindividual movement of said lead-holders from a retracted position within saidcasingto a projected position in which the loadedend ,of said sleeve projects out, of said casingsaid actuating bars and said grooves beingso curved as to guide each actuating bar along a curved path converging towards the axis of the casing so that thehinge of a lead-holder, when, the latter is projected, is substantially positioned; .on the axis of said casing.

8, In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, atubular casing therefor, a core co-axially connected with saidactuating bars being slidably guided within said grooves for individual movement of said lead-holders from a retracted position within said casing to a projected position in which the lcade'd endof said sleeve projects out of said casing, said grooves being shaped to guide each actuating bar along a path converging towards the axis oftlie casing so that the hinge of a lead-holder, when the latter is projected, is substantially positioned on the axis of said casing, and asingle latch mounted on said core and each-lead holder including means to operate said latch and means cooperating with said latch wherebysaid latchis co-operatively cc-ordinated to each of said holders and adapted, upon movementkfi any one of them into projected position, to engage-and to arrest same and to be tripped coincidentally to said movement for release of any previously projected holder and for consequent re-setting of the latter by one of said springs.

9. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor, a core co-axially connected "with said casing and having longitudinal grooves extending in radial planes of said core, each leadholder being composed of an actuating bar formed with a locking shoulder, and an operating shoulder facing opposite thereto of a sleeve adapted to be loaded with a lead, and of a hinge connecting said sleeve to said bar, said actuating bars being slidably guided within said grooves for individual movement of said lead-holders from a retracted position withinsaid casing to a pro- J'ected position in which the loaded end of said sleeve projects out of said casing, said grooves being shaped to guide each actuating bar along a path converging towards the axis of the casing so that the hinge of a lead-holder, when the latter is projected, is substantially positioned on the axis of said sleeve a retracting spring connected to each of said lead-holders, a single star-shaped latch centrally mounted on said core within said casing for oscillation about the axis thereof having radial arms normally extending into the paths of said actuating bars and having slanting faces for engagement by an operating shoulder of said bar and a restoring spring for said latch adapted to urge the latter to snap behind the locking shoulder of the actuating bar of any projected lead-holder, whereby any lead-holder on movement from its retracted position into its projected position will trip said latch for 'releas'e and restoration or anyprevious 1y projected lead-holder and will then be locked in'projected position;untilanothernee: said holders-will be projected. u :1

'encil; the combination 10. In a multi-color p comprising a plurality of lead-holders,- a tubular casing therefor, a core co-axially'iconnectedwith said casing and having longitudinalgrojovje'ef's slid-'- ably guiding said lead-holders for f individual movement from a retracted position within-said casing to a projected position, re-setting springs anchored to said core and cpnnectedto saiddeadholders, asingle latch mounted'on said 'eoreand each lead holder includingmeans-tooperate said latch and means cooperating with said-latoh whereby 'said'lat'chis co-operatively co ordinate'd to each of said holders, and a spring carried by saidcore and engaging said latch-"caus-in'gfthe same, upon movement ofany lead-holder -into projected position, to engageand'to arrest same, said latch being adapted to be tripped-coin cidentally to said movement for release-ofany previously projected holder and: for subsequent re-setting of the latter by-one of saidreisetti'ng springs.

11. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a pluralityof lead-holders; a tubul'ar casing therefor, a core co-axiallyconnected with said casing and having an axial bore for the accommodation of reserve leads and formedwith longitudinal grooves slidably guiding said" leadmovement of any lead-holder into projectedposi tion, to engage and to arrest same, said latch being adapted to be tripped (ac-incidentally to said movement for release of any previously projected holder and for subsequent re-setting of the latter by one of said re-setting springs.

12-. In a multi-color pencil, the combination comprising a plurality of lead-holders, a tubular casing therefor having longitudinal slots; a core co-axially connected with said casing and having longitudinal grooves slidably guiding said lead holders for individual movement from a retracted position within said casing to a projected position in which the lead-holder projects from one end of said casing, said lead-holders being provided with manually operable projections extending from said casing'throughsaid slots and posi tioned at the other end of said casing when in retracted position, re-setting springs anchored to said core and connected to said lead-holders,

a single latch mounted on said core and each lead holder including means to operate said latch and means cooperating with said latch whereby said latch is co-operatively co-ordinated to'e'ach of said holders, and a spring carried by said core and engaging said latch causing the same, upon movement of any lead-holder into-projected position, to engage and to arrest same, said latch being adapted to be tripped co-incidentally to said movement for release of any'previously'pro jected'holder and for subsequent re setting oi the latter by one of said re-setting springs:

WILLY SCHMIEGLITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of' record'in file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Fend Nov. 8, 1938 the Number 

